More maxims of La Rochefoucauld:

• “We endeavour to get Reputation by those Faults we won’t amend.”
• “We never desire vehemently what we desire rationally.”
• “Whatever Distrust we may have of People’s Sincerity, we always believe they are more ingenuous with us than with any body else.”
• “We promise according to our Hopes, and perform according to our Fears.”
• “Repentance is not so much Remorse for what we have done, as Fear of its Consequences.”
• “Our Enemies come nearer the Truth in their Judgment of us, than we do ourselves.”
• “We don’t despise all those who have Vices, but we despise all those who have no Virtues.”
• “None but such as are contemptible are apprehensive of Contempt.”
• “That Conduct often seems ridiculous the secret Reasons of which are wise and solid.”
• “Censorious as the World is, it oftner shews Favour to false Merit, than it does Injustice to true.”
• “Our Fancy sets the Value on all we receive from Fortune.”

And “We take less Pains to be happy, as to appear so.”